I have said that propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation

The words of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari — "I have said that propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation have always been part of political warfare. Social media and other new platforms have given it a new life and reach through which the fake news phenomenon can reach everywhere." — ring with both ancient truth and modern urgency. He speaks of a weapon older than the sword: the battle for the human mind. Propaganda has been wielded since kings first carved victories on stone tablets, since emperors paraded triumphs to hide their defeats. But in our time, the battlefield has changed. The rise of social media has made this weapon sharper, faster, and far-reaching, able to pierce every home, every heart, in an instant.

The origin of this wisdom lies in the recognition that human beings have always been vulnerable to stories. From the dawn of history, rulers and generals have shaped narratives to control their people. What Zardari reveals is that this ancient practice has found a new and terrible power in technology. Once, propaganda spread by word of mouth, by parchment, or by print. Today, it flows like lightning, amplified by algorithms, dressed in the garments of truth though it is false. Thus, the fake news phenomenon is not new in essence, but new in scale — able to cross borders without armies, to destabilize nations without a single shot fired.

History gives us many warnings. Consider the Nazi regime, which used propaganda to poison the minds of millions, turning neighbors into enemies and justifying unspeakable horrors. The lies of Goebbels spread through radio and print, convincing a nation to march into darkness. Or reflect on the Cold War, when both East and West waged battles of ideology, spreading misinformation to weaken the resolve of their opponents. In each case, propaganda was as powerful as missiles, shaping reality itself in the minds of the people.

But today, as Zardari notes, the reach is greater. A single post, false but compelling, can circle the globe in minutes. Entire communities can be divided by lies crafted with precision, targeted to inflame fear and hatred. Elections can be swayed not by reasoned debate but by viral deception. The new platforms are not evil in themselves, but they have become battlegrounds, where truth and falsehood wrestle in endless struggle.

The teaching here is stark: if propaganda has always been part of political warfare, then we must be ever vigilant. For in the age of social media, each of us is both soldier and target. We are bombarded with words crafted to deceive, to divide, to control. And the cost is high: when truth is obscured, societies crumble, trust dies, and the very foundation of democracy is shaken.

The lesson is this: guard your mind. Question what you hear. Do not believe every voice that shouts, nor every story that flatters your fears. Seek evidence, weigh sources, and pursue truth even when it is less convenient than lies. In a world where disinformation spreads like fire, the wise must become keepers of water, quenching flames with discernment and courage.

What, then, should you do in practice? Be slow to share, but quick to verify. Teach your children not only how to read, but how to discern truth from falsehood. Support institutions that defend truth, and challenge those who profit from lies. Above all, refuse to become an agent of propaganda yourself. Let your words be careful, honest, and healing, not reckless or divisive.

Thus let this teaching endure: propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation may be as old as war itself, but in our time, their reach is greater than ever before. If we are careless, falsehood will shape our world. But if we are vigilant, courageous, and devoted to truth, then even in this new battlefield, light will overcome the darkness.